This is a bit more like the Ashby I knew!

Bosworth Battlefield Moorings to Nr Fairfield Bridge (46), Ashby Canal, 3.5 miles 0 locks

Pulled the pins late morning to continue up the Ashby.  It was a dark and dank day today, with just a slight, but cold easterly wind.  Not that it bothered us too much with the back canopy coming into it’s own shielding us from the cold.  On leaving our overnight moorings we very soon came upon the Shenton Embankment that had been closed before Christmas, and this is what they have been doing…

I must say that British Waterways has done a fine job along this bit, and notice too, that all the overhanging trees have been managed as well, and from here for a mile or so they have been putting in wooden plank edging to save the erosion of the canal bank.

I was very much happier with my surroundings today, this always has been one of my most favourite canals, and I have not visited for a good 7 or 8 years.  But now much more rural, and the beauty of this canal came into it’s own today as we traveled through secluded areas free of traffic and noise.

Mark commented on the last blog…

“I gather you have been having a rather dreary time on the canal with the mud, the digging..”

Well maybe it’s not as bad as I had made out.. after all it is winter and the days are short, maybe it’s just me.  I was disappointed at Hinckley with the pub there being very run down, disappointed at the awful pollution in the canal in the same area, and disappointed with all the mud and churned up towpaths… but it ain’t so bad really.. well today wasn’t anyway!

In fact I would have been happy to stay at the Bosworth Field moorings, but I got out voted because the dot in the sky (satellite) for the tele was behind some trees.. but this is a much nicer mooring, so remote here.. just my cup of tea!

After lunch a couple of hours to walk across the Leicestershire countryside, an absolute delight today, and the towpaths at last are not so muddy.  Lots of evidence of a hugely popular county for hunting.. with all the fields having some wonderful man made obstacles for the horses to jump from one field to another.. Not now used of course.  The countryside is becoming more hilly.. still it should make me a bit fitter than I am at the moment, for sure I am still walking off the Christmas break indulgence..

Oh yes before I forget, do have a look at this blog …. Quidditch …. More especially have a look a few posts down called “Scary or What!!!” .. Now that is really scary!!